Three Days in Berlin

Berlin: Capital of Germany

There is so much to see in this amazing city which can appear overwhelming however almost everything is within walking distance making it easy to get around. When planning my trip to Berlin I found Visit Berlin to be a great resource.

DAY 1 – MUSEUM ISLAND AND BERLIN TV TOWER

    

Museum Island is a UNESCO world heritage site made up of five museums surrounded by the River Spree. This is a beautiful part of Berlin to visit: I recommend going into one of the museums. I picked the Neues Museum which houses many Egyptian artefacts, the most famous being the bust of Nefertiti. Although signs suggest you can't take photos of Nefertiti, if you ask the security staff, they will indicate where you can take pictures from.

         

The TV Tower offers a great vantage point for views over the city, especially at sunset. The maps around the windows also helped me get my bearings during my first day in Berlin. There is also a restaurant at the top which would make for a very memorable meal however this does require a reservation. 

 

DAY 2 – REICHSTAG, BRANDENBURG GATE, MEMORIAL TO THE MURDERED JEWS OF         EUROPE, VICTORY COLUMN, BERLIN WALL MEMORIAL

 

The Reichstag is a key historical building and currently houses the German Parliament. You can take a guided tour of the building and/or visit the glass dome for more views over Berlin. Entry has to be booked about two weeks in advance. As this is the main parliament building, there can often be protests outside: it is important to take this into account when planning your trip.

                   

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous sights in Berlin and is a must-see. I recommend getting here slightly earlier in order to beat the crowds. 

  

The Holocaust Memorial commemorates the Jewish lives lost. This is a special place to come and remember in your own way: it is designed for each individual to interpret differently. When walking around the city be sure to watch your feet as there are small plaques dedicated to Jewish families who were deported to concentration camps during the Holocaust.

                        

Victory column is located in the Tiergarten and stands at the centre of a roundabout not far from the Brandenburg Gate. You can climb to the top of the tower for a 360 degree view of Berlin. After this, you can take a walk into the Tiergarten for drinks – I recommend visiting The Teahouse in the English Garden.

            

One of the most famous parts of Berlin’s history is the wall that divided East and West Berlin. Many remnants of this still stands alongside a memorial to those killed whilst trying to cross from East to West Berlin. If you would like to know more about this you can visit the museum across from the memorial or read the information plaques throughout the site. Try and keep an eye out for the old watchtower hidden behind the memorial.

DAY 3 – EAST SIDE GALLERY, CHECKPOINT CHARLIE, BERLIN CATHEDRAL

              

                 

The East Side Gallery combines history and art where you can see the longest stretch of what remains of the Berlin Wall. Over a hundred artists came from all over the world to showcase their artwork, which illustrates the fractured history of Berlin.

Checkpoint Charlie is a popular site with tourists where you can see the crossing point between East and West Berlin. There is a spot to take pictures with actors but if you are more interested in the history, there is a sectioned off area from the busy shopping street where you can read about the wall and see photographs from when it was operational. 

                     

The Berlin Cathedral is located on Museum Island and is another great vantage point to look out over the city. Climbing the stairs to the top is worth it especially at sunset. 

SIDE NOTES

I stayed in the Mitte area at Hotel Amo by Amano. This hotel has a great central location, near to the excellent public transport which makes all of Berlin accessible (in particular the Trams). The food in Berlin is diverse as there is a real blend of cultures however Currywurst is famous in Berlin: I recommend trying this at Curry 61 as they offer a vegan option.